Job 13:26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me to possess the iniquities of my youth. How very different do what Job calls "the iniquities of his youth" appear as regards each one's own early history! One knows of none at all; another knows of some, but thinks very lightly of them; another "possesses his," as Job did, which yet was not in a right way. I. THE INIQUITIES OF YOUTH — WHAT THEY ARE. The world judges by a poor standard, and views things through a perverted medium. 1. Iniquity in youth is of the very same character as iniquity in after life. Is there not frequent mistake on this point? How common are falsehoods in early life. Some think lightly of profane language in the young. There are several sins very common among the young — swearing, lying, stealing, fornication, etc. This is the fact, the moral law of God is fixed and unchangeable. 2. The unconverted life in youth is a course of "iniquity." This some may think uncharitable; but our question is, How does God view things? How would He have us to view them? Is the case uncommon, of a man decent, decorous, virtuous, but one thing lacking, the heart given to God? There is iniquity, then, in that. For what is iniquity? That which is contrary to what is just and equal in God's judgment. 3. In everyone who has been young there has been iniquity. There is iniquity in original sin, and in all sin in youth. II. THE WAYS IN WHICH GOD MAY "MAKE A MAN POSSESS THE INIQUITIES OF HIS YOUTH." 1. In the way of retribution. The indulged love of pleasure and self-gratification in youth deadens the feelings, blunts the affections, and leaves the man a thoroughly selfish, hard-hearted creature. And if the youth be merely moral, without godliness, it often grows into the most confirmed self-righteousness in middle life. 2. In the way of conviction. His method of conviction varies in its process. 3. In the way of conversion. 4. In the way of consolation. 5. In the way of caution. "Go and sin no more" is the language of Christ to every pardoned penitent. 6. In the way of godly education of the young.Some seem to think the consciousness of faults in their own youth should make them silent as to the faults of the young now, and if silent, then inactive in endeavours to correct them. This would be to help perpetuate our own and others' faults. (John Hambleton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.WEB: For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth: |
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